Below are the notes on which I based my talk, titled “Training Calmness”. Enjoy!

Training Calmness

PB&DS 2012

Calmness is key to peaceful, social, balanced, problem-free behavior.
Calmness is largely incompatible with problem mindsets or behaviors such as:

Anxiety (e.g. separation anxiety)

Fear (e.g. of skateboards, or in the car)

Aggression (dog-dog, dog-people)

The “How”:

How to treat: Dog must never snatch from your hand, jump, or even approach, but instead must take treat calmly, allowing your hand to reach all the way to his mouth while he remains sitting/lying down, doing whatever he was previously doing.

Long low tones for praise, acknowledgement of good behavior, “marking” the good behavior. Remember that exciting praise, stimulating pets, play or treats can reward the resulting excited mindset.

Calm or what I call “long” rewards: rawhides, stuffed Kongs, slow bellyrubs, walks. Remember edible treats aren’t the only form of positive reinforcement!

The “When”:

Never give treats when dog is jumping, whining, barking, lunging, pulling, or otherwise exhibiting overexcited “demand behavior”, or you will reinforce that. Instead reward calm, peaceful, non-anxious, non-demanding behaviors (catch them off-guard). A side effect is that they learn to trust, the world becomes a delicious giving source of free happiness instead of them having to crave, demand, and fight for what they want.

Pup problems?

We can help!

No more trying to distract with treats! Learn to "speak dog" and create calm, peaceful, happy obedience with Calm Energy's tried and true, uniquely effective methods. New York dog behavior expert, Cesar Millan Ambassador, with over a decade of real-world experience, serving Manhattan and Brooklyn NYC.